The herald entered the court room and glanced over the occupants before moving forward and bowing to one Daidoji Miyui. With a single raised eyebrow, the courtier raised an elegant hand to accept the crudely folded letter that was proffered to her.

Miyui-chan;

Greetings from the battlefield, my sister. I know that duty prevented you from being here for the negotiations; otherwise you would be here instead of where ever it is you are. The Crane contingent here determined that the Hare needed more help than the Crab, and so I find that tomorrow I may have to face former comrades in combat. I have to say that although I’m looking forward to truly testing my skills, there is an ominous presence in the air. I know that there is a Daidoji Emerald Magistrate here as well. I intend to seek him out tonight so that if there is any truth to this feeling he can bring you my daisho. If not, then I will seek you out as soon as I am able, and we will celebrate the Crane’s victory in both the courts and on the field.

Fortunes smile upon you, sister.
Daidoji Eriko

Miyui nodded to the messenger who stood, bowed politely, and left the room. She smiled charmingly at the Scorpion she had been dealing with before the interruption. “As I was saying, Bayushi-san…”

***

The Jade Sun rose with the same unerring precision as always, shining on a field filled with bushi and shugenja of every clan preparing for the long day before them. Daidoji Eriko stretched and smiled as Daidoji Mikado joined her in the sunlight.

“A glorious morning, no Mikado-sama?” she asked her companion.

“It is indeed. I suspect that many enemies will fall to our blades today. A good nights sleep was exactly what I needed. Noburo should be arriving soon with our orders – are you prepared?”

Eriko nodded with a slight smirk. “I am always ready to go into combat, and follow any orders given.” Mikado blushed slightly at the comment, but otherwise his face remained unchanged.

***

The Hida brute advanced and brought his tetsubo down in and earth-shattering blow. Mikado toppled under its sheer weight, the mud splashing his kimono as he fell to his knees, stunned. The other Crane around her were surrounded by Hida and Lion alike swarming in on their position. Daidoji Eriko let loose a primal yell of anger and swung her no-daichi in an upward arc, slinging both mud and its deadly edge toward the Hida’s head. The result was a satisfying ka-thunk. Looking around, Eriko saw that her companions had dealt with the immediate threats, and that the commander – Kakita Noboro – had returned from facing a Crab in a duel. Calling over ashigaru, the group gathered up Mikado and held the flag they fought so hard for, beginning a slow retreat.

***

The Jade sun began to set upon the scene of carnage as the two armies began to draw away from each other and assess the damages done. Eriko’s group had been pulled back into the thick of the battle, and looked at the sky, hopeful that they would live the day out after all. A small contingent of Matsu berserkers were doing much the same, retreating to their side of the battlefield. Although most of the combat had cleared out, there were still groups here and there engaged, and the sound of swords clashing echoed eerily across the field. The two units took the measure of the other, fury twisting on their faces as the emotions of the day once again swelled to a crescendo. Steel met steel and battle cries rang out over the field of dead samurai. One of the Matsu, a true berserker, targeted Eriko. With a cry that would have done her ancestors proud, the Matsu swung at Eriko with her katana. Eriko’s wounds prevented her from bring up her no-daichi in time to block the blow. For a moment, Eriko was sure that the Matsu woman had missed and was preparing to laugh in her face and she cut the Matsu down for there was no pain. Instead of a laugh, a bubble of blood rose to her lips. Eriko looked down, confused as her no-daichi dropped from her hands, and then glanced at Mikado one last time as the world faded to an all encompassing blackness.